New Hair Moisturizer

I have been on a search for a new hair moisturizer for the longest time.  I was using UBH (Ultra Black Hair Lotion Creme Moisturizer.  I love this moistuizer.  It is so good to and for my hair.  UBH Lotion Creme Moisturizer leaves my hair soft and moisturized all day long.  No frizzies or crunchy hair.   But it is expensive.  I usually buy 16 oz for $14.00 dollars.  But don't forget that you have to pay shipping and handling which costs me an additional $9.03 to ship to my area.  So $23.00 for a Moisturizer.....NOT AGAIN!  What was I thinking.  It's not like the moisturizer has magical powers to grow your hair to your bottom.  But I do love the product.  It does not contain any petroleum, mineral oil or alcohol.  It does have dimethicone, which some are opposed to.  UBH contains dimethicone copolyol; which is water soluble.  Which  it will wash out in you next shampoo.  But I like cones in my products.  Cones leave my hair soft and unfrizzy.

So I went on a search for a water-based moisturizing leave in cream.  One that will give me some of the same benefits as UBH Lotion Creme Moisturizer.  I think I found it.   Drum Roll.......

Softsheen-Carson Roots of Nature Shea Butter Green Tea Strengthening Oil Moisturizer.  It left my hair soft and bouncy.  Just a little dab goes a long way.  Just a dab now because it can be oily.  My hair wasn't crunchy and no frizzies.  I bought an 8.5 fl oz bottle at Sally's for $6.79. 

Here are the ingredients: Aqua/Water , Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil , Cocos Nucifera Oil/Coconut Oil , Glycerin , Isopropyl Palmitate , Polyacrylamide , Isoceteth-20 , Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate , Fragrance , C13-14 Isoparaffin , Lecithin , Methylparaben , Laureth-7 , Hexyl Cinnamal , Sorbic Acid , Ethylparaben , Xylose , Citric Acid , Persea Gratissima Oil/Avocado Oil , Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Shea Butter , Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil , Dimethicone , VP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer , Geraniol , Benzyl Benzoate , Limonene , Citral , Camellia Sinensis Extract/Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea) , Methylisothiazolinone , Linalool , Laureth-4 , Laureth-23 , Benzyl Alcohol , 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanedio , CI 19140/Yellow 5 , CI 14700/Red 4 , CI 17200/Red 33 , CI 42090/Blue 1

Try it for yourself here.

Hair Products Are Not Magic!

No they are not!  I use to think so.  I thought if I have the right hair product, my hair will grow to phenomenal lengths.  NOT!  Well I haven't found a miracle in a bottle that did it for me. 

Now dont get me wrong, using the wrong product will mess you up and give you a set back that may just make you cut all your hair off; but I havent found a product so great and glorious that will grow my hair without any effort at all. 

There are some better products for my hair.  Products that do not have alcohol of any kind are better than most for me.  I stress, "for me".   I was on this kick for a little while that all hair products with petroleum and mineral oil were the devil and trying to destroy my hair.  I tried to do the organic hair product thing.  Some were good.  Some were not.  I love just about any organic oil for my hair.  My hair really responds well  to coconut oil.  (Oh my beloved coconut oil. I will never turn from thee. LOL!).  Anywho, I dont have a problem with sulfate shampoo's.  They do not break or dry out my hair.  Mineral and petroleum products are not the devil.  I use Kera Care and Silk elements conditioners; which contain mineral oil and I haven't any negative issues with these.  I just avoid mineral and petroleum products that are not rinse out conditioners.  When my hair was it's longest as a child my mom used water and Dax grease.  That's it.

I contribute my growth to not using blow dryers and other heat appliances.   I keep my hair in protective styles.  Any style that will protect the ends of my hair and stay neat for at least four days.  Styles like a bun, french twist or wigs.  I moisturized my hair with a water based moisturizer and seal with coconut oil daily.  Oh yeah, vitamins.  The right vitamins and nutrition will help hair growth.  Well at least it did for me.    Great growth.  I'm happy.  No magic hair products.   

Amla Oil

Amla Oil is made from Amla fruit mostly grown in India.  Other names for this fruit are Indian Gooseberry, Emblic myrobalan, Amla, Amalaki.  The Amla fruit is reputed to have the highest content of vitamin C of any natural occurring substances in nature. Organic amla is almost good for everyone on a regular basis. Indian Research shows that 8.75 mg of natural vitamin C complex from Amla is equivalent to 100mg of the most commonly used synthetic vitamin C. Amla prossesses the highest level of heat and storage stable vitamin C known to man.

Some benefits are:

• The edible fruit tissue of Amla contains protein concentration 3-fold and ascorbic acid concentration 160-fold than those of apples. This fruit also contains considerably higher concentration of most minerals and amino acids than apples.
• Amla juice has twenty times more vitamin C than orange juice.
• Amla is used as cosmetic in India. It is an accepted hair tonic in traditional recipes for enriching hair growth and pigmentation.
• Amla Oil enriches hair growth and pigmentation. It prevents premature graying of hair, dandruff, increases the strength of hair follicles (and thus preventing hair-fall). Customarily, a small amount of Amla oil is applied to the hair after washing. This not only brings forth a rich, natural shine and soft texture to the hair, but also helps rejuvenate hairs that are dull and damaged. It also prevents split hair ends.
• Application of Amla oil over the scalp has a cooling effect. As such, it keeps the mind cool and promotes sound sleep.
• Amla oil along with various other formulations such as herbs like Brahmi, Shikakai and Reetha are very beneficial for mind, hair and body.
• Amla oil is useful for increasing memory

Amla fruit is also eaten to keep the body in health, increase memory and build up immune system support.

There are various brands of Amla oil.  Two of the consistent brand names are Dabur and Hesh.  I came across Garrysun.com and liked the ingredients in his Amla oil and decided to give it a try.
Ingredients for Garrysun Amla Oil:
Amalaki fruit (Emblica officinalis)
Brahmi leaf (Bacopa monnieri)
Ela seed (Elettaria cardamomum)
Gulab petal (Rosa Centifolia)
Kapoor Kachri rhizome (Hedichium spicatum)
Bhringraj whole plant (Eclipta alba)
Musta rhizome (Cyperus rotundus)
Natural sesame oil as base

Brahmi - Cools the scalp and induces sound sleep, Controls dandruff,  Makes hair long, dark, Dense & lustrous, Strengthens hair roots

Bhringraj  - Bhringraj Hair Oil helps to strengthen the hair, gives natural shine to the hair and works well against dandruff by providing health to the scalp, helps prevent hair loss,  helps premature graying of hair, stop hair thinning.

I use amla oil for the pre poo process only. But it can be used to apply to hair during your styling process.
Amla oil has significantly changed the condition of my hair and it has been a growth aid for me.  This was the first item in my hair care mission and my pre poo mix has increased my growth by 1/4 inch. 

The draw back is that this product is expensive.  I bought (2) 16oz bottles at $27.90 each.  On the other hand, I use 3-4 oz at a time in my pre poo mix and the mix lasts for approx. 3 months.  I am still using the first bottle and I bought this in April or May.  Also another thing is that this Amla oil doesnt smell so nice.  That's another reason whty I pre poo with it and do not this amla oil during the styling process.

Resources:
Garrysun.com
Amlaoil.com
Liveherbals.com
Longhaircareforum.com

Organic or Non Sulfate Shampoo Review

Another Hair Care Product Review for Shampoo.  For some time I have been looking for a way to shampoo my hair without using harsh chemicals and sulfates.  Not that I am really searching for an all organic haircare line but I wanted something that was a little gentler on my hair during the cleansing process.  There was some buzz on youtube and some of the hair forums about using a Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soap, oil and distilled water to shampooo the hair. 

Now I was a little scared at first to try it.  But I was pleased with the results.  My hair was clean but not brittle. Most import, I did not have any tangles.  I use a mix from K.I.S.S Blog. 

Here is the mix: 

• 16 oz applicator bottle
• 2 oz of Dr. Bronner's liquid soap
• 2 oz of your favorite oil. ( I use a combination of Extra Virgin Coconut oil and Extra Virgin Oliver Oil)
• 12 oz of distilled water.

The only negative is the mixing.  It seems that I have to mix everthing that I use on my hair.  You can buy a pack of (2) 32 oz Soaps for 29.98.  Good Deal!

 I love Aubrey Organics Conditioners.  Since I have been using the conditioners with success; I thought I would try the shampoo.  I bought  Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo.  It left my hair soooo dry and matted.   If I didn't have good skills to untangle my hair, I would have had a setback.  I couldnt understand it.  I was so disappointed.  So to use up the rest of the product, I mixed in some olive oil and distilled water.  Now, I am able to get through a wash without any tangling.  This shampoo is not for me.

Conditioners, Yes!  Honey Suckle Rose Shampoo, NoWay!  And it's suppose to be for dry hair.



There are some other non sulfate shampoo's that I can't wait to try:

• Karen's Body Beautiful Bodacious Beauty Bar (Shampoo Bar). I heard it's wonderful.
• Aubrey Organics Island Naturals Shampoo and White Camellia Shampoo
• Abba Pure Moisture Shampoo
• Aveda
• Elucence. 
• Kenra.
• Organix Shampoo's. 
  

Moisturizing Shampoo Review

I have decided to write a product review of a couple of shampoos that I have used for the last 2 years.  It's important for my hair to be cleansed with a shampoo that will not completely strip it from all of its natural oil and still remove dirt, excess oil and unclog pores.  Elasta QP is a wonderful moisturizing shampoo that does just that for me.  I can cleanse my hair without any tangles and my hair doesn't feel dry and brittle.  Love this stuff. 

This is a very good sulfate free shampoo.




INGREDIENTS: WATER, COCAMPHOCARBOXYPROPLONATE, COCAMIDE MEA, POLYQUATERNIUM-10, GLYCOL DISTEARATRE, CITRIC ACID, DMDM HYDANTOIN, FRAGRANCE, FD&C YELLOW # 5 (C119140), FD&C YELLOW #6 (C115985), FD&C RED #40 (C116035), FD&C BLUE #1 (C142090)

If you would like to give it a try, go to L.A.D.Y STORE.

Creme of Nature Sunflower & Coconut Detangling Conditioning Shampoo is another good shampoo that I have used.  Even though it does contain sulfates, it does not leave my hair stripped, tangled and brittle.

Some of the Ingredients: Water (Aqua) (Eau), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Stearate, Polyquaternium-10, Cocamide Dea, Amodimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-7, Isostearyl Ethylimidazoliniumethosulfate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Cocos Nucifera (Coc ...

If you would like to give it a try, go to L.A.D.Y STORE.